I’ve written before about cars that aren’t mine, or that I didn’t buy- my ex-wife’s Protege, and my current wife’s Sentra. They have their own personal auto-histories, of course, and I was only involved in the later stages of them. I then sometimes drove their cars or, in one case, got one as a hand-me-down (the Sentra.) Today, we’ll take a further look at cars in my household I didn’t own from the start.
Very similar to my ex’s, but in better shape.
First of the group, my ex had a first-gen Rabbit before I met her, and I would’ve liked it, I think, being a VW guy. Then she had an ‘83 GLC hatch when we met, which was a fine car but pretty worn out. We replaced it with a 1995 Protege which figuratively and legally was a lemon. She got a ‘98 Civic hatchback after that, and it was a good car, and stayed with her when I left.
From the web. Can’t find any with flames. Probably a good thing.
My current wife’s first car was a red ‘92 Cavalier. She then had a Mitsubishi Eclipse while in college. Later she got a ‘94ish Geo Tracker with flame decals. She loved that one. “It was boxy, I guess I like boxy cars.” Next was a ‘92 Camry which she liked. Her first new car was a 2005 Sentra, which she loved, and which I inherited when I wrecked my Cruze and we replaced it with a 2003 Element for her. And which I later wrecked…
The Element was a good car, and she loved it. We had it for eight years, and it was the kidmobile, since our daughter was a year old when we got it. Very practical for kids, and dogs, and just in general. Plastic floors, no carpet. Wide double doors on the side (though those get a little awkward to open in crowded parking lots.) Big doors in back. The rear seats fold up or come out, and we used it both ways to haul various items. Lumber, furniture, whatever. I brought an oversized screen door home from the hardware store, to fit with our sliding glass deck door. Inside the car (my head did bump against it.)
Thankful for me driving her around in the Element a lot? (I have less hair now than in this shot.)
Later she used it to sell dog treats at farm markets, and it made a nice base of operations at festivals, parades, wherever we went. When she started walking dogs she racked up the miles crisscrossing town, and eventually it was pretty well worn out. In one year we did the struts, then the engine and tranny mounts, and then found metal shavings in the oil, and decided to cut our losses. She really loved it, though, and at first we looked for another Element. They are out there, but rare and sought after. And expensive. Eventually she started looking all over online for one, and we chased down a couple but with no luck; as soon as one goes on sale someone snaps it up.
Attempted Elemental artistry.
She widened her search, and I was called in as a consultant since some of the things she found were JDM-only cars or otherwise not good choices for her. She narrowed it down to a Scion xB or a Nissan Cube, and we looked at a couple, finally choosing a 2011 Cube. It was in great shape inside and out, with reasonable miles on it and at a decent price. Yes, still as old as the newest Elements, but for half the price. A bit smaller than the Element but still boxy and quirky; she loves it.
Cube in the foreground, my Fit in the back.
I’ve driven it a few times and it’s pleasant enough. Good visibility. A roof overhang and near-vertical windshield that almost eliminate the need for sunglasses, but probably get in the way sometimes at stoplights -though maybe not for someone of her height. It works well for what she does: driving all over town in order to get her steps in. Or rather, dogwalking. She likes the little details like floor mood lighting, the rippled headliner, etc.
Relatively minor damage on the Cube, but of course, plastic is more expensive than it looks.
Nine days after she got it, she was rear-ended at a stoplight. Minimal damage, no injuries; the guy was friendly and apologetic, and though his insurance gave her some hassles she did get a payout, enough to get it repaired. She is having a hard time getting rid of the Element. Still hasn’t made its way off our driveway and over to her parents’ property, storehouse of several older vehicles including my ‘87 Fox wagon for a bit before I sold it. I recommended parting it out, and with the high demand someone might want to give it the love it needs to get back on the road. But she doesn’t want to part with it, and plans to learn how to change oil and work on brakes, etc., with it as a training tool. And me handing her tools.
Related CC reading:
Related CC reading:
CC Capsule: Cube Squared, and Squares Cubed – A Look At The Near-Forgotten Nissan Cube
Vintage Review: 2009 Nissan Cube – Cubism Meets Dali
Curbside Find: 2003 Honda Element Woodie – Genuine Wood At That
Ex GF bought a Cube to replace a disintegrating Toyota Funcargo little difference she changed one boxy x JDM heap with another boxy x JDM heap, we had a Cube at work as yard runabout if no utes were around they drove exactly the same so we figured it should be ok and it didnt have any of the weird ECU issues the little Toyota was plagued with, there are enough of those Cubes around for parts, resale value is zero and it still goes as far as I know,
we did try a CVT version but it was too horrible to drive and found another one with a regular automatic, the CVT ones are almost impossible to sell we found out later,
Elements continue to be daily sight where I live, several fitted with aftermarket eCamper pop top camper conversions, which use the sunroof (if thus equipped) for access. Based on local popularity an updated Element could continue to be a good seller. We considered one when the launched here but only four seatbelts seemed limiting with two kids, when it seemed we often had three abreast in back. There are a few Cubes around here too; unlike many of the more common Scion (Toyota) xB’s, the Cubes are all bone-stock and sedately driven by older people.
These are Japanese PT Cruisers.
Thought they’d appeal to young people, but ended up selling to seniors. Passed down to grandkids who are too repulsed by them, so they’re thrown onto the auto market.
Lots of happy Element owners out there that would happily trade it in for a new and improved model, but there aren’t any, and there really isn’t anything else on the market today quite like it. I suggested a 2nd-gen Ford Transit Connect from a few years ago as maybe being functionally similar, but the 2nd-row foldaway options aren’t as good as the Element’s. There’s the Kia Soul but it’s not as practical. The new Slate truck/SUV has some commonality with the Element, though it lacks the second-row reverse door.
I find the height of the Transit very daunting, personally. I assume they all have stability control, so the high center of gravity isn’t as perilous at it looks, but their height gives them a commercial vehicle vibe even by the standards of today’s gigantic trucks. I’ve seen a couple that were privately owned and always find it jarring unless it’s an accessibility van for a wheelchair or something.
He said Transit Connect, not the full-size Transit van. The Connect is not at all tall (72″), only an inch and a half taller than the Element.
Yeah, we looked at the Transit when we were looking for the Element, but passed. And the Soul is smaller and less practical. The Cube works for her, as an Element substitute.
I drive a Transit Connect at work and it has not been very reliable. It has had the most problems despite being the lowest mileage and newest vehicle in the fleet.
We considered an Element twice, but the 2 rear seat belt thing was a deal breaker with 3 kids. When that was no longer an issue, scarcity and high prices kept me from buying an older one.
Yeah, we just have one kid, and only rarely had another passenger back there. They are out there but in high demand. We couldn’t justify paying for a decent used one.
I still have a 91 Tracker 4×4 5 speed that I drive in the winter if something happens to the Jeep XJ. Body is more rust than steel, but the frame is solid. Has always used a quart of oil every 300-400 miles. And to maintain 55 requires full throttle. But just driving locally in the winter I rarely go that fast anyway. Always starts and runs if I put a battery in it.
The Cube, I have always thought of just one thing.
https://www.sheswaisted.com/cdn/shop/files/SHESWAISTED_July280473.jpg?v=1708031476&width=1000
As a daily reader from the Wilmington, OH area, I just had to comment after seeing the license plate frame on your wife’s Cube. My family and I have purchased several cars there, and they always seemed to treat customers fairly. I did have a Cube as a rental in San Diego many years ago. It was a funky little car that was a novelty for me to drive around town. Not my cup of tea, but I can see the appeal. I couldn’t see the upright profile working for the amount of highway driving I did at the time.
She does a lot of crisscrossing town, short highway stints. I had a VW Bus, so I can relate to tall profiles. Even the Beetle would catch a crosswind.
We had a great experience with the Cube dealer. No pressure, reasonable deal. We did actually have an issue with the Element dealer, a small Columbus one.
Interesting, I didn’t know boxy had a following. While I’ve been way into BMWs for some time now, I like boxy myself, I like practical. Well, maybe by 21st century standards so they’re not too much like vintage VW busses to drive, but a utility concept, you know, like a hatchback!
On vehicles acquired with a mate/future mate. My eventually wife came to me with a Mustang II. A Pinto really, you know, the one everyone hates. It was a hand me down from her ex before he was her ex, you know, he wanted the Mustang, didn’t like it so he got something else so she got it. Eventually she started driving the Celica I had at the time and I was driving the Mustang as her commute was over double mine and the Celica wasn’t as bad on gas, not good, barely 20, but that beat the hell out of the ‘Stang. I did get a little embarrassed at work one time when A coworker said something about your Mustang II. I wanted to say, no, that’s not mine, that’s my girlfriends… but I guess if you drive it long enough you own it so to speak A red hatchback it actually looked pretty good washed and waxed, but you know what they say about skin deep…
My first girlfriend had a Mustang II. It had a name (as do these; do all women name their cars?)
I had a Bus, so I get boxy. Certainly practical. The Cube is a little less practical than the Element- a little smaller, a little more “plush” inside. I think she just likes weird, which I am grateful for.
Boxy is good, always has been .
I remember the cube when new, it looked pretty low to me and I can see how the Elderly and / or Boomers would like them .
You’ve been through quite a few cars, if SWMBO wants to keep the old Element she should be driving it .
-Nate
She wants to keep it for sentimental reasons, and for training. I think we should sell it. Someone will want it or its parts.
And we’re Gen X, but hey, that’s old now too. She is short so maybe that makes a difference for her? I’ve got bad knees. But then I don’t drive her stuff as often.